Turn a Blind Eye/Deaf Ear, to 😎
It’s so much easier to ignore something inconvenient, isn’t it? Dive into the intriguing world of selective perception:
Definition
Turn a blind eye/deaf ear, to: To deliberately ignore or refuse to acknowledge something.
Synonyms
- Look the other way: Pretend not to notice.
- Sweep under the rug: Hide something in order to ignore it.
- Pay no heed: Act as though something is unimportant.
- Tune out: Stop listening or paying attention.
Antonyms
- Face the music: Deal with the consequences.
- Acknowledge: Recognize the validity or existence of something.
- Address: Deal with a matter or problem.
Related Expressions
- Bury your head in the sand: Ignore a problem in the hope that it will go away.
- Playing ostrich: Pretend that problems or unpleasant facts do not exist.
- Blind as a bat: Completely unaware.
- Deaf as a post: Completely oblivious to sound or advice.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Selective hearing: when she talks about boys, I somehow only hear the wind.” – Anonymous
- “If ignorance is bliss, turning a blind eye should make you a very happy pirate indeed.” – Captain Notso-Observant
Proverbs & References
- Proverb: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
- Literature: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Lady Catherine often turns a blind eye to inconvenient truths.
- Movies: Pirates of the Caribbean – Captain Jack Sparrow often “adies and gents” his way past bothersome details.
- Songs: “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan – Refers to ignoring age and hardship for eternal youthfulness.
- Poetry: “The Blind Men and the Elephant” – Describes how selective perspectives can cloud true understanding.
Quick Historical Insight
Lord Horatio Nelson used his literal blind eye to pretend he didn’t see orders to withdraw at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, leading to a successful attack. Talk about “turning a blind eye” like a pro!
### Which phrase means to deliberately ignore something?
- [x] Turn a blind eye
- [ ] Wiggle the ears
- [ ] Dance with uncertainty
- [ ] Bake the oblivion cake
> **Explanation:** "Turn a blind eye" means to overlook something deliberately, often to avoid dealing with it.
### Which of these is an antonym for "turn a blind eye"?
- [ ] Bury your head in the sand
- [x] Face the music
- [ ] Selective hearing
- [ ] Ignorance is bliss
> **Explanation:** "Face the music" means to deal with the consequences of one's actions, the opposite of ignoring them.
### True or False: "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" is related to "turning a blind eye."
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** This proverb shares the same essence of willful ignorance or deliberately ignoring offensive details.
### Who is famously associated with "turning a blind eye"?
- [ ] Julius Caesar
- [x] Lord Horatio Nelson
- [ ] Napoleon Bonaparte
- [ ] Confucius
> **Explanation:** Lord Horatio Nelson is famous for literally turning a blind eye to avoid withdrawing from battle.
### Select the similar expression:
- [ ] Jump off a cliff blindly
- [x] Sweep under the rug
- [ ] Cook with a blindfold
- [ ] Sail into the sunset with a sledgehammer
> **Explanation:** "Sweep under the rug" also means to ignore or hide something deliberately.
Philippa Sage passionately invites you to embrace the nuances of expressions, opening eyes (both functional and metaphorical) to the delectable world of idioms.
“Sometimes, to see clearly, one must first embrace the blur.”
